Curiosity Meets The Past

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Latest Episodes:

One Year Anniversary Update for Curiosity Meets the Past Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

We've been around for 1 year! Sharing some highlights and updates in this bonus episode.

Mentioned in the episode:

Video on podcasting challenges: https://youtu.be/COOhPl9eEJg?si=gNCIPaVDbARIiTHJ
Curiosity Meets the Past Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiositymeetsthepast

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com

🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

Curiosity Exchange x Broadcast Seeding: Gender Violence in Late Antiquity Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Mentioned on the show:

Full episode (website): https://sowingtheseed.org/podcast/episode-21-gender-violence-in-late-antiquity-with-dr-jennifer-barry/
Full episode (Apple Podcasts): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/broadcast-seeding-ep21-with-dr-jennifer-barry/id1096448667?i=1000734336759
Broadcast Seeding Podcast website: https://sowingtheseed.org/podcast/

🎁 Bonus content: ⁠https://patreon.com/smitinathan⁠

✉️ Get in touch at ⁠podcast@smitinathan.com⁠

Decoding Diaspora Through a Family Scrapbook Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

What can a crumbling family scrapbook reveal about history and the way diasporic communities make meaning? Religious scholar, Dr. Richard Newton, guides us through the surprising story of how a scrapbook handed to him by his mother became the catalyst for an entire research project. In our conversation, he walks us through what he found when he opened the book and how he's making this project accessible to anyone who's curious.

Mentioned on the show:

• Scrapbook Website: https://decodingdiaspora.org/decoding-diaspora/index

• Richard's Website: https://sowingtheseed.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seedpods

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/seedpods.bsky.social

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seedpods/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seedpods

📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/decoding-diaspora-through-a-family-scrapbook/

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com

The Archaeology Behind the English Alphabet Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Where did the English alphabet come from, and how do we know? Linguist and writer, Dr. Danny Bate, guides us through the archaeology and linguistic history behind the letters many of us use every day. In our conversation, we explore what various archaeological artifacts reveal about the alphabet's past and what that means about our relationship to the English language today.

Mentioned on the show:

• Danny's Book: https://bookshop.org/a/115409/9781785307430

• Danny's Website: https://dannybate.com/

• Substack: https://dannylbate.substack.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannylbate/

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:i4oicfdtysshyfxjmvpx2xza

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-bate-b3ba02277/

📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/the-archaeology-behind-the-english-alphabet/

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com

Rethinking Water History at Shushtar in Iran May 20, 2026

Show notes

What can water systems tell us about people in the past and present? Landscape archaeologist, Dr. Mehrnoush Soroush, guides us through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shushtar in Iran and how her work is challenging dominant water history narratives. In our conversation, she shares the surprising challenges that come with studying ancient water systems, her somewhat nontraditional approach, and what we can learn about humanity along the way.

Mentioned on the show:

• Academia Page: https://chicago.academia.edu/mehrnoushsoroush

📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/rethinking-water-history-at-shushtar-in-iran/

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com

The Curious History and Science of Blimps May 06, 2026

Show notes

Where did blimps come from, and why are we fascinated by them? Geneticist and blimp enthusiast, Dr. Alex Dainis, guides us through the history of these sky vessels, the science behind their design, and what it feels like to ride inside one. In our conversation, she shares what blimps reveal about the way we see the world around us and why they are still around today.

Mentioned on the show:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexdainis

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexDainisPhD/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexdainis

📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/the-curious-history-and-science-of-blimps/

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com

What Archaeology Can Bring to the Classroom (and Beyond) Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

What can archaeology bring to the classroom and beyond? Archaeologist and filmmaker, Marc Barkman-Astles, guides us through the workshops he runs across England and Wales, the challenges he's encountered, and some of the delightful moments along the way. In our conversation, we explore how public archaeology can help us connect with the world around us.

Mentioned on the show:

Website: https://archaeosouptowers.wordpress.com/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Archaeos0up
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@archaeos0up

📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/what-archaeology-can-bring-to-the-classroom-and-beyond/🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com

The Ancient Deities People Called Upon Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

Which deities did ancient people call upon when they needed help? Assyriologist and public educator, Megan Lewis, guides us through some of the surprising sources scholars use to understand the gods and goddesses people turned to in the past. In our conversation, she shares what these sources reveal about how both people and deities have changed over time and why their stories still feel surprisingly familiar today.

Mentioned on the show:

Website: https://www.digitalhammurabi.com/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalHammurabi

📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/the-ancient-deities-people-called-upon

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com

The Making and Remaking of the Zodiac in Roman Egypt Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

What can ancient astrological handbooks tell us about the lives of women around 2000 years ago? Egyptologist, Dr. Lingxin Zhang, guides us through fragmented papyri, recycled temple documents, and what one woman did when she learned her family's fate. In our conversation, she shares what these texts reveal not only about the inner workings of the zodiac and astrosciences in Roman Egypt, but also aspects of our humanity.

Mentioned on the show:

https://www.instagram.com/guancientegypt/

📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/the-making-and-remaking-of-the-zodiac-in-roman-egypt

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com

What 3D Modelling Reveals About the Past Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

What can we uncover about the past when we look at it in three dimensions? Archaeologist, Madeline Robinson, guides us through a shipwreck, ancient temples in Malta, and very tiny stone tools she has studied through 3D modelling. In our conversation, we explore what these methods reveal not only about the past, but also about who gets to access and engage with it.

Mentioned on the show:

Malta Article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212054818300523
Photogrammetry Book: https://sydneyuniversitypress.com/products/9781761540431
Madeline’s Website: https://madeline7850.wixsite.com/madelinegprobinson

If you’re having any issue accessing Maddie’s publications, you can contact her directly - https://madeline7850.wixsite.com/madelinegprobinson/contact

📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/what-3d-modelling-reveals-about-the-past/

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at podcast@smitinathan.com

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